DEATH NOTICE

MELVA MARIE GILBERT

Melva Marie Gilbert, 83, of Kennewick and a former Sunnyside resident, died on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at Life Care Center in Kennewick.

She was born April 3, 1928 in Paxico, Mo., the daughter of John Harve and Opal (Andrews) Perry.

On July 7, 1945 she married John (Jack) Olen Gilbert in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

She is survived by one daughter, Dee Ryan of Dawsonville, Ga.; three sons, John Gilbert of Hermiston, Ore., Don Gilbert of Benton City and Ron Gilbert of Boardman, Ore.; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Harvey Lee Perry and Raymond Dale Perry, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John (Jack) Olen Gilbert; a son, Rodger Gilbert; a sister, G. Mae Skidmore; and a brother, Lewis Perry.

Graveside services will be held Friday, July 15, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside.

Smith Funeral Home LTD and Crematory in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements.